Exchange system for telephone-lines and the like.



A. LAWRENCE.

EXCHANGE SYSTEM FOR TELEPHONE LINES AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED APB..13, 1912.

Patented May 13, 1913.

2 SHEBTSSHEET 1.

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A. LAWRENCE.

- EXCHANGE SYSTEM FOR TELEPHONE LINES AND THE LIKE.

v V I APPLICATION FILED APR. 13, 1912.

1,061,852, Patented May 13, 1913.

2 SHBETS-SHEBT 2.

w l fi im m WW A.Laz22ren0e 135. 4 W my UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ABRAM LAWRENCE, OF ELIZABETI-ITOWN, ILLINOIS.

EXCHANGE SYSTEM FOR TELEPHONE-LINES AND THE LIKE.

To all whom. it may concern Be it known that I, ABRAM LAwRENoE, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Elizabethtown, in the county of Hardin and State of Illinois, have invented new and useful Improvements in Exchange Systems for Telephone-Lines and the Like, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in systems for the transmission of intelligence and has particular application to exchange systems for telephone lines, although it is to be understood, that the invention, in its useful application is not limited to this particular purpose, as the same may be used in any system where necessary or desired, such as telegraph lines and the like, to selectively interconnect certain or predetermined transmission lines.

In carrying out the present invention, in the present instance, it is my purpose to provide an exchange system for telephone lines wherein a calling subscriber may cause the operation of a signal to notify the operator in charge of the exchange that a number as it is usually termed, is wanted so that such operator may ascertain the number desired and actuate the calling signal of the party wanted.

It is also my purpose to provide an exchange system wherein an operator may listen on the calling line and actuate the signal of the called or desired line with a single instrument thereby eliminating the use of auxiliary apparatus suchas keys or push buttons now in use.

Furthermore, I aim to provide an exchange system wherein a signal, usually a drop may be actuated from the calling subscribers line to notify the operator in charge of the central exchange that a line is wanted, and whereby the signal circuit may be deenergized and the exchange circuit energized so that the calling subscriber may converse with the operator in charge of the exchange so that such operator may, when informed, obtain the desired line or number, means being associated with the device for rendering the calling signal circuit inactive and the exchange circuit active, to interconnect the two subscribers lines.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in the construction,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed. April 18, 1912.

Patented May 13, 1913.

Serial No. 690,522.

combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter set forth in and falling within the scope of the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings; Figure l is a front elevation of a switch board of an exchange system or station, equipped with the present invention. Fig. 2 is a detail perspective view of a jack, parts being broken away. Fig. 3 is a central longitudinal sectional view through a portion of the jack. Fig. t is a transverse sectional view through a portion of the jack. Fig. 5 is a detail view of a plug utilized in conjunction with the jack to facilitate the closing and opening of the various circuits, and Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view of a portion of a telephone exchange system constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Similar reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views.

In carrying my invention into practice, a plurality of subscriber circuits are carried into the switch board and terminate in what are known as jacks and each circuit has its own respective jack which is capable of being connected to another jack to interconnect the desired subscribers lines so that conversation may be carried on over such lines. The jacks are usually arranged in groups upon the switch board and in accordance with my present invention are connected to one another in multiple or parallel circuits so that any one line may be connected to any other line thus enabling any subscriber in the system to have communi cation with any other subscriber. The jacks in accordance with the present invention are constructed in such manner as to en able an operator, in the central exchange, to listen in and ascertain a number from a calling subscriber so that such operator may connect the calling subscriber with the party desired or the called subscriber. Each subscribers circuit includes a signal circuit which, when the subscribers circuit is closed, becomes energized with the effect to actuate the signal, usually a drop, to notify the operator in charge of the exchange, that a number is desired so that such operator may connect the calling subscribers line to the exchange line whereby the operator will be enabled to ascertain the number of the line wanted and thereupon actuate the signal of the called line to notify the subscriber on the latter line that such subscriber is being called. The circuits are closed through the jacks by means of plugs and without the use of cords as now employed, and these plugs are arranged in pairs and the jacks are provided with a plurality of fingers forming the terminals of the jack circuits, while each pair of plugs is provided with contacts arranged in similar circumferential positions and in difi erent longitudinal positions from those on other pairs of plugs and adapted to bridge cooperating contacts of a pair of jacks to interconnect subscribers circuits. By means of a pair of plugs, utilized in my system, an operator may deenergize a calling signal, listen in on the calling line, and connect subscribers lines with one another and withoutthe use of auxiliary apparatus.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings in detail, A indicates a switch board of any suitable material and of any conventional design. This switch board A, is equipped with a group or plurality of jacks, or a number of groups if such is desired, and the jacks of a group are wired or connected in multiple or parallel circuits so that any one line may be connected to any other line. These jacks, in the present instance, are what are known as spring jacks, and each consists of a base plate 1 of substantially rectangular contour, a relatively short plug receiving strip 2 bolted or otherwise secured to the respective portion of the base plate 1 and formed with a socket 3 designed to snugly receive and accommodate a plug, and the jack springs 4: and 5 connected to the free portion of thebase 1 and in alinement with the socket 3 in the plug receiving strip 2. These jack springs are bolted together and to the base plate 1 in any suitable manner and are insulated from each other by any suitable insulating material, and located intermediate the springs 4 and 5 are what are termed cut off springs 6 and 7 normally engaged by the respective springs 4-. and 5. Suitably secured to the wall of the socket 3 are a plurality of pairs of contact fingers forming the terminals of the jack circuits and the contacts of each pair are located within the socket 3 at diametrically opposite points and arranged longitudinally of such socket. In the present instance, ten of such fingers are shown and indicated at a a a a a a, a a a, a It is conceivable, however, that as many of such fingers as desired may be employed to increase the range and capacity of the system. Also secured in the socket 3 at the rear of the ack circuit fingers, are pairs of contact springs S and 9, the springs of each pair being fastened to the wall of the socket 3 at diametrically opposite points and arranged diagonally of the adjacent pair, as clearly shown in Fig. 4. The contacts 8 form the terminals of the exchange circuit of each jack, while the contacts 9 in each jack form the terminals of the ringing circuit, and the jack springs a and 5 form the terminals of the subscribers circuit in each jack.

Cooperative with each jack for closing the various circuits therein and of the system, is a plug which, as illustrated in Fig. 5, is, for the major portion of its length, of a contour similar to that of the socket 3, preferably round and consists of a bifur cated body portion forming the limbs 10 and 11 arranged in spaced parallel relation and insulated from cachother by means of suitable insulating material 12 interposed between such limbs. One end of the body portion of the plug formed by the limbs 10 and 11, is contracted as at 12 and within such contracted portion are mounted diametrically disposed contacts 13, 13, and immediately adjacent such contacts 13, the body portion of the plug is provided with a groove 14 and terminates in a head 15, the opposite extremity of the plug being equipped with a handle 16 by means of which the plug may be inserted in the socket and manipulated therein to close the various circuits.

As before stated, the plugs associated with the jacks are grouped in pairs, ten pairs being employed in the system herein shown, incident to the number of pairs of contact springs in each jack. The number of plugs may be increased, however, should the capacity of the system be increased and the number of contacts in the jack multiplied, as aforesaid, and the plugs are provided with contacts, the contacts on the plugs of each pair being arranged in similar circumferential positions and in different longitudinal positions from those on other pairs so that one pair of plugs may be inserted into a pair of jacks to bridge the similar contacts therein so that the desired subscribers circuits may be closed. The contacts for bridging the jack circuits are indicated upon the plug shown in Fig. 5, at 17, 17 and are adapted for engagement with the contacts a of the jack shown in Fig. 2, and the contacts upon the companion of the plug shown in Fig. 5 are arranged in a similar position to engage the contacts a of any other jack.

When the called subscriber takes the receiver from the hook for talking purposes, the plug is actuated to close the jack circuit through the fingers a a and the contacts 17, 17 on the plug. This movement of the plug is preferably accomplished automatically and to this end, in the present instance, a pair of springs 18, 18 are located within the socket 3 and these springs are so arranged as to engage the body of the plug at relatively opposite points so as to rotate the plug within the socket to normally engage the contact on the plug with the contact of the jack circuit. This operation,

is more clearly disclosed in Fig. 6. Referring now to the diagram shown in the last-named figure, S and S indicate subscribers instruments, and J and J indicate the jacks of the respective instruments con structed as described hereinbefore and located in the exchange. Connected to the jack springs 4 and 5 are the terminals of the subscribers circuits formed by the conductors 19 and 20, and connected to the free ends of the cut off springs 6 and 7 are the terminals of a signaling circuit including the conductors 21 and 22 secured to the respective cut off springs 6 and 7 and including such springs in series with a calling signal 23, such as a drop, and a source of energy such as a battery 21 also in series. Thus, when a subscriber removes the telephone receiver from the hook the calling signal circuit is closed through the conductors 19 and 20, jack springs 4 and 5, cut off springs 6 and 7, conductors 21 and 22, battery 24,, and the signal 23, thus notifying the operator in charge of the central exchange that a subscribers line is closed. The exchange operators telephone set is indicated at E and is connected in circuit with a suitable source of energ such as the battery 24, and is, by means of the conductors 25 and 26, connected in multiple or par allel with the springs 8 of each jack of the group. Likewise, the contacts 9 of each jack of the group are connected in multiple with conductors 27 and 28 of a ringing circuit including a generator 29 or the like.

Similarly, the contacts a to 56 inclusive of each jack are connected in multiple or parallel to the similar contacts by means of the conductors leading from such contacts to the lead wires 30 to 49 inclusive. Connected in series with the lead wires of each jack is a clearing out signal 50 of any usual or preferred construction which may be mechanically restored by means of a spring or the like to inoperative position and is actuated to an operative position upon the closing of the circuit of the particular subscribers instrument, such clearing out signal being located in any convenient position, prefer ably in proximity to the respective jack. lVhen the calling signal 23 has been actuated as aforesaid, the operator, in charge of the central exchange, inserts one plug of a pair into the jack of the respective circuit, jack J in this case, with tie efiect to break the calling circuit at the cut off springs 6 and 7, whereby the calling signal may be restored either automatically or manually. By rotating the plug to the right,the contacts 13, 13 are engaged with the springs 8, 8 to effect the closing of the exchange operators telephone set E, thereby permitting such operator to ascertain the number of the line wanted. Upon such number being received, the operator inserts the companion plug into the jackof the subscribers circuit desired, the jack J, in this case, with the effect to break the calling signal circuit of such called subscriber, as will be readily apparent from Fig. a of the drawings. At this time, the operator rotates the last-mentioned plug to the left to make contact between the contacts 13, 13 and the springs 9, 9 and to break contact with the springs 8, 8, thereby closing the ringing circuit to actuate the signal or bell in the called subscribers instrument. We will assume for the purpose of illustration that the plugs within the jacks, have their contacts 17 adapted to bridge the fingers a of the jacks J and J. Now, when the called subscriber has answered the exchange operator, the plugs within the jacks J and J are released, the springs 18 acting at this time to engage the contacts 17 on such plugs with the fingers a of the respective jack to close the jack circuits, thus the calling subscriber and the called subscriber are connected through the following circuit; conductors 19 and 20, jack springs 4t and 5, limbs 10 and 11 of the plug within jack J, contacts 17, contact fingers a a of jack J, lead wires a and %5, contact fingers a a of jack J wired in multiple with the contact fingers of jack J, as aforesaid, contacts 17, 17, and limbs 10 and 11 of the companion plug within jack J, jack springs at and 5 of the last-mentioned ack, conductor 19 and 20 of the called subscribers instrument S, thereby permitting conversation to be carried on. lVhen one of the subscribers, or both, hangs up the receiver of the instrument, the circuit through the clearing out signal 50 is broken, thereby rendering the latter inoperative and per mitting the same to be restored by its spring. Thus, an operator upon seeing a pair of plugs upon the board, and the clearing out signal of the respective plugs in its restored position, will know that the conversation has ended and consequently removes the plugs to break the circuits so that another call may be made from either instrument. or from both instruments.

In the accompanying drawings, I have, for the purpose of illustration, only shown the connections between two subscribers in struments and their respective circuits and the respective jacks of such circuits, such being thought suflicient for the purposes of illustrating and disclosing the present invention. It may be here stated that the leads 30 to 49 inclusive, may be connected up to the battery 241 or any other suitable source of energy, as desired.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings,

it will be seen that I have provided an exchange system particularly adapted for telephone lines although not necessarily limited to such usage whereby the use of corded plugs is eliminated and the jacks of the group connected in multiple and in such manner as to enable any one ack to be connected in circuit to any other jack of the group to permit conversation between two predetermined subscribers lines or instruments. Furthermore, it will be noted that I have provided a system wherein a single pair of plugs are employed to facilitate male ing the connections between'the desired subscribers lines, such plugs serving to cut out the calling signal of a calling subscribers circuit, cut in the exchange operators telephone set, to ring a called subscribers telephone signal, and to establish connection between subscribers circuits.

Although I have herein shown and described one particular form of my exchange system and its adaptation to a telephone system, it is to be understood that I do not limit or confine myself to the exact construction and use of the invention herein described and delineated, as modification and variation may be made within the scope of the claims and without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. In a telephone exchange system, subscribers circuits, a jack for each circuit, circuits connecting all acks in multiple or parallel, a plurality of contacts carried by each jack and forming the terminals of the jack circuits, and a plurality of plugs grouped in pairs and cooperative with the jacks, con tacts on the plugs of each pair arranged in similar positions and in different positions from those on other pairs and adapted to bridge cooperating pairs of contacts to interconnect subscribers circuits.

2. In a telephone system, subscribers circuits, a jack for each circuit, a signal circuit for each subscribers circuit and adapted to be energized therefrom, circuits connecting all jacks in multiple or parallel, a plurality of contacts forming the terminals of the jack circuits, and a plurality of plugs grouped in pairs and cooperative with the jacks, contacts on the plugs of each pair and arranged in similar positions and in different positions from those on other pairs and adapted to bridge cooperating pairs of contacts to interconnect subscribers circuits, and means for breaking the signal circuit from the plugs.

3. In a telephone system, subscribers telephone sets and circuits therefor, a switch board, a jack on the switch board for each circuit, circuits connecting all jacks in multiple or parallel, a central operators telephone set and a circuit therefor intermediate said subscribers circuits, and plugs cooperative with the jacks to connect the first-menioned circuits to the central operators telephone circuit and to one another.

4. In a system for transmitting intelligence, a plurality of transmission circuits, a jack for each circuit, circuits connecting all jacks in multiple or parallel, a central operators telephone set and a circuit therefor, and plugs cooperative with the jacks to connect the first-mentioned circuits to the circuit of the operators telephone set and the first-mentioned circuits with one another.

5. In a system for transmitting intelligence, a plurality of transmission circuits, a jack for each circuit, circuits connecting all jacks in multiple or parallel, a central operators instrument and a circuit therefor, and plugs cooperative with the jacks to connect the first-mentioned circuits with the operators instrument and the first-mentioned circuits with one another successively.

6. In a system for transmitting intelligence, a plurality of subscribers circuits, a jack for each circuit, circuits connect-ingall jacks in multiple or parallel, a central operators instrument and a circuit therefor intermediate said subscribers circuits, and plugs cooperative with the jacks to connect the firstmentioned circuits to the central operators instrument and the first-mentioned circuits with one another successively, and to automatically disconnect the central operators instrument from the subscribers circuits.

7. In a system for transmitting intelligence, a plurality of subscribers circuit-s, a switch board, a jack on the switch board for each circuit, circuits connecting all jacksin multiple or parallel, a central operators instrument and a circuit therefor intermediate said subscribers circuits, and plugs 00- operative with the acks to connect the subscribers circuits with the circuit of the operators instrument and to connect the firstmentioned circuits with one another automatically.

8. In a system for transmitting intelligence, a plurality of subscribers circuit-s, a switch board, a jack on the switch board for each circuit, circuits connecting all jacks in parallel or multiple, a central operators instrument and a circuit therefor intermediate said subscribers circuits, and plugs cooperative with the jacks to connect the subscribers circuits with the circuit of the operators intsrument and to connect the firstmentioned circuits to one another and to disconnect the circuit of the operators instrument from the first-mentioned circuits automatically.

9. In a telephone exchange system, a plurality of subscribers circuits, a source of energy therefor, a signal circuit for each subscribers circuit, and adapted to be energized therefrom, a switch board, jacks arranged in groups on the switch board and each connected to a subscribers circuit and to the respective signal circuit, circuits connecting all jacks in multiple or parallel, a central operators telephone set and a circuit therefor common to all jacks, and plugs adapted to connect the subscribers circuits to the circuit of the operators telephone set and break the signal circuit of a jack.

10. In a system for transmitting intelligence, transmission circuits, a jack for each circuit, a signal circuit for each transmission circuit and adapted to be energized therefrom, circuits connecting all jacks in multiple or parallel, a plurality of plugs grouped in pairs and cooperative with the jacks and adapted to close the circuits through a pair of jacks to interconnect transmission circuits, and means operable from the plugs for breaking the signal circuit.

11. In a telephone exchange system, subscribers circuits, a jack for each circuit, a signal circuit for each subscribers circuit and adapted to be energized therefrom, circuits connecting all jacks in multiple or parallel, a plurality of contacts carried by each jack and forming the terminals of said jack circuits, a plurality of plugs grouped in pairs and cooperative with the jacks, contacts on the plugs of each pair arranged in similar positions and in difierent posit-ions from those on other pairs and adapted to bridge cooperating contacts of a pair of jacks to interconnect subscribers circuits, means on said plugs for breaking the signal circuit, and a clearing out signal energized from said jack circuits upon the closing of a subscribers circuit.

12. In a system for transmitting intelligence, transmission circuits, a ack for each circuit, circuits connecting all jacks in multiple or parallel, and plugs cooperative with the jacks to interconnect predetermined or selected transmission circuits.

13. In a system for transmitting intelligence, transmission circuits, a jack for each circuit, circuits connecting all jacks in multiple or parallel, )lugs cooperative with the jacks to interconnect predetermined or selected transmission circuits, and a signal for each transmission circuit.

let. In a system for transmitting intelligence, transmission circuits, a signal circuit associated with each transmission circuit and adapted to be rendered active therefrom, a jack for each transmission circuit, circuits connecting all jacks in multiple or parallel, and plugs cooperative with the jacks to interconnect predetermined or selected transmission circuits and to break the signal circuits associated with the particular transmission circuits.

15. In a telephone system, subscribers telephone sets and circuits therefor, a jack for each circuit, circuits connecting all jacks in multiple or parallel, a central operators telephone set and a circuit therefor connected in multiple with all of the jacks, and plugs cooperative with the jacks to bridge the jack circuits and connect the circuit of the operators telephone setwith the subscribers telephone sets.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ABBAM LAlVR-E N CE.

lVitnesses J. W. HENRY, G. W. SHEARER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of 'Eatents, Washington, D. C. 

